Mags

I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Spain thanks to a wealth of information found on this website. Just a note of caution though to those of you travelling to Spain. <BR>I took all the necessary caution and even purchased a special bag which I thought was the safest I had ever seen. I had separated my cash t/cs and credit cards as well as my money into various sections of the bag so that they were not all in one place which was a blessing. My new purse was strung across my body in front of me and within minutes my wallet and glasses case were 'taken' out of the zipped bag.I never saw or felt anything, or anyone. My daughter who was with me said to me .Mom why do you have you bag open... that's when I realised what had happened. Thank God I had taken the time to separate my other valuable documents as I would have been distraught if I had lost my passports. Butit could have been much worse. <BR>This happened on the Puerto del sol , Madrid and the very next day I WITNESSED a lady beinbg robbed in the same area.. She had her handbag under her arm and seemed very secure. Out of nowhere this youth appeared and we never saw how it happened but after a split second all she was left with were the straps of her apparently strong leather bag on her <BR>shoulder.!!!! <BR>I think perhaps that the only way to be REASONABLY secure is to wear a money belt on your person BELOW your clothes. These people are experts !!! <BR>In spite of this setback we had a great vacation... Spain and its people are wonderful... prices were reasonable...weather was good (May) Lots to do and see.

Beth Anderson

eeek, I have to tell you - I have heard more stories about pickpocketing, in the more southern countries - never have I had a problem up north. I don't even bother to take unusual precautions in London or Paris anymore (knock on wood).

kate

I know TravelSmith sells bags with steel cables running through the straps so they can't be cut.

elvira

Since the French aren't using their armored cars much, maybe they'd sell 'em to us cheap. Doubt a pickpocket could get through those steel doors....

chrissy

All I know is I will not be visitng Spain anytime soon

Donna

Here's a tip: Only carry bags/purses with double zipper pulls and twist tie (the kind that come with plastic storage bags) them together while out and about. Pickpockets only go after what is quickly accessible.

Sheila

Taking pictures is always an important part of my trip. How can I protect my camera from being taken? I always wear a money belt inside my clothes but there is no way to hide a camera especially when you are using it to photgraph scenery, etc. Any ideas as I am planning a trip to Spain next May. Thanks

lola

Sheila- Tiny cameras--really tiny ones can take great pix. Don't know the names, but my friend has one and takes magniificent photos. Ask at a photo store or maybe someone here can tell you. So small it can slip into a pocket or a pouch under clothes--(just a sorry sight if you have to dig for it immediately).

emily

i just got a money belt which is worn under clothing. Are they pretty fool proof? No jokes about getting caught with my pants down pleeez.

Diane

Many years ago I placed my passport in a plastic bag and wore it down the front of my jeans while in Rome. While traveling to Rome I meet people at different intervals commenting on how they or someone they knew had just been robbed in Rome. I wasn't taking any chances. This past week in Paris I took no precautions at all, which I suppose was not very bright, but I never felt in jeopardy. On the Metro I made sure to keep my hand over my fanny pack.

Kerry

My husband kept his hand over his fanny pack on the metro in Paris. He was nabbed when the train suddenly slowed down approaching the next stop, apparently while he was "busy" finding something to hold onto. The three adolescent girls who had hopped on at the previous stop and off at that stop relieved him of the francs in his wallet which was in the fanny pack. When he looked down, just after they hopped off, he noticed the zipper was partway open, then found the francs missing. Take the twist tie advice.

NoFanny

Diane, Kerry, and anyone else reading this: <BR> <BR>Thank you so much for using a fanny pack because you are luring the thieves away from me. Many, many thank yous. I'd guess your odds of being relieved of your belongings if you wear a fanny pack in major cities in Spain or Italy are really, really high. It is not hard at all to get you to move your hand off of your big old fanny pack. A simple bump will do it. Money belts are widely available and quite effective. So why is anyone in this day and age still using a fanny pack?

ilisa

My husband utilizes a fanny pack because he is a federal police officer and needs it. While he does not carry his firearm in it when we travel overseas, he does carry his commission book with badge (which also serves as his wallet) which is too large to be carried in a money belt or pocket. Oh, and before anyone questions the need to carry it, he is required to do so. Frankly, he has never had a problem and does not care if someone recognizes him as an American since that is what he is.

Lorie

I just returned from a two-week trip to Spain. This is my fourth trip to Spain and I must say that using a bit of common sense goes a long way. If you look like a tourist, sure, you may be targeted. You will be just fine if you strap your purse around your shoulder and clutching it with your hand. The same goes with men. Be sure to place your wallet in a side pant pocket and walk with your arms/hands to your side. Do not be side tracked and always stay alert when in large crowds. Spain and all Southern countries are just fine to visit!

Ben Haines

Fodors <BR> <BR>For Ilisa: you surprise me. What law tells an American police officer to carry a warrant badge in France or England ? I should have thought that his status in Europe is that of civilian. I say this, because I put passport and spare money, credit cards and tickets into hotel safes at reception or in the room, whichever the hotel advises.Then I walk around town with one credit or debit card (useful for getting money at good rates from ATMs (cash dispensers) and some cash. I carry neither passport nor photocopy of passport, and nobody has asked me for one. If they did I'd say it was in the hotel. Nor do I own a wallet. They bulge, and attract theft. <BR> <BR>I suppose women without pockets have to have a money belt. <BR> <BR>For Ms Andersen: London police have signs up in popular places warning tourists to beware pickpockets. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can comment further. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

Marc David Miller

I recently purchased a pocket that straps to my calf (no more noticeable to me than wearing garters!). It will hold a passport, credit cards as well as MANY bills. I will still carry a wallet with enough currency in it for daily purchases, as well as an expired credit card (never know when you'll be mugged!). <BR> <BR>It holds far more than a money belt. <BR> <BR>Of course if you are wearing shorts this solution won't work.

Don

<BR>My wife and I just returned from 2 wks <BR>in Sapin. Had a great time. We carry all of our valuables in a neck pouch worn under the clothes. In Madrid we <BR>were walking in front of a Mcdonalds <BR>and got splattered with mustard which <BR>our earwhile pickpocket explained to us was bird droppings. He helped us brush us off before we had <BR>recovered even though we were aware of the trick. He was not able to get anything from us because we did not have a wallet or handbag. <BR>Another in our party got the dose in Barcelona on La Rambla and they <BR>only got his credit cards but left the wallet in place. Don't let it ruin your trip, be prepared, travel as if you could replace whatever you lose, and don't frequent McDonald's. This seems to be primarily a big city problem and is mild compared to what they do to you in New York City.

tom

with all these tales of being "fondled & groped" (how else could anyone get into a pouch worn under a shirt, for exmpl!!), am I the only one whose first reaction is to give the perpetrators a strong kick to the groin region!?

Art

I wear a fanny pack to keep my extra camera lens in as well as some of my money in as well as a money belt under my clothes. To discourage thieves I turn my fanny pack around to the front. If wearing a jacket, I wear my camera sholder straps underneith the jacked. So far, I've not had any problems. <BR>

Carlos

I agree with Lorie...with a little common sense... <BR>I live in downtown Madrid near Gran Via and though Iīve never had a problem I can tell you that if you look like a tourist you can be targeted. <BR>This is my advise; careful in Gran Vía with your bags, Iīve youngsters running with bags two or three times in the last couple of years. Theyīre usually from northern Africa, I donīt have any problem with this people but what Iīm telling you is the reallity. Also careful in the tube stations of Sol, Callao and Opera when you are going to get into or off the trains and its crowded, your bags could be opened as Magsī. <BR>But donīt you think Madrid is dangerous, it is not...itīs beautiful and pretty safe, as I told you before I never had a problem and I donīt look like the spanish stereotype so I could be targeted as a tourist as well <BR>Anyway, if you need any information about Madrid donīt hesitate in writting (e-mail) me. <BR> <BR>Enjoy.... <BR>